Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
The bill (TEENS Act) amends section 3(l) of the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow employees aged between 14 and 16 years to work up to 24 hours in any week when school is in session, provided shifts begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m. The amendment prevents the Secretary of Labor from deeming such employment "oppressive child labor" based solely on hours worked if those conditions are met.
Progressives emphasize education and exploitation risks; conservatives emphasize work experience and flexibility.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a straightforward statutory amendment that clearly states the substantive change (expanding permissible hours for 14–16-year-olds during weeks when school is in session) but is minimal in ancillary detail.
The bill (TEENS Act) amends section 3(l) of the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow employees aged between 14 and 16 years to work up to 24 hours in any week when school is in session, provided shifts begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m.
The amendment prevents the Secretary of Labor from deeming such employment "oppressive child labor" based solely on hours worked if those conditions are met.
Low fiscal cost and narrow scope help, but controversial expansion of youth work hours and Senate hurdles lower overall odds.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a straightforward statutory amendment that clearly states the substantive change (expanding permissible hours for 14–16-year-olds during weeks when school is in session) but is minimal in ancillary detail.
Progressives emphasize education and exploitation risks; conservatives emphasize work experience and flexibility.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize education and exploitation risks; conservatives emphasize work experience and flexibility.
Skeptical.
Sees some value in youth work experience and income but worries increased hours will harm education, sleep, and vulnerable teens.
Wants stronger safeguards and enforcement to protect minors.
Cautiously open.
Appreciates added flexibility and labor-market opportunity but wants guardrails and monitoring to avoid negative educational outcomes and enforcement gaps.
Supportive.
Values stronger work ethic, family income, and reduced federal restrictions on teen employment.
Views the bill as restoring common-sense flexibility.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Low fiscal cost and narrow scope help, but controversial expansion of youth work hours and Senate hurdles lower overall odds.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize education and exploitation risks; conservatives emphasize work experience and flexibility.
Low fiscal cost and narrow scope help, but controversial expansion of youth work hours and Senate hurdles lower overall odds.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a straightforward statutory amendment that clearly states the substantive change (expanding permissible hours for 14–16-year-olds during weeks when school is in se…
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